A family pioneer of Empire Bay

Our early pioneers blazed the way for the new settlers, who arrived on the Central Coast in the early 1900s, when land was sub-divided into small farm holdings. These settlers brought with them new names, skills and experiences. The Adams family name, one of the new settlers, live on through their descendants and adds to the rich history of Empire Bay.

Walking into Brenda (nee Adams) and Brett Simpson’s beautifully kept acerage, you suddenly feel the pride Brenda has of her ancestors, and their contribution to the development of Empire Bay from those early settler days. Brenda is a third generation of the Adams family living in Empire Bay. Brenda is a descendent from a mutineer from the Bounty, John Adams, who, with the rest of the mutineers, eventually settled in Norfolk Island.

Brenda’s grandfather, Alfred Henry Adams, born on Norfolk Island, immigrated to Sydney in the late 1890’s to continue his horticulturist/botanist education. Alfred wanted to be a botanist just like his father. In 1906, he purchased 40 acres (now between Empire Bay Public School and Impact Nursery) to setup his fern cultivating business. Selling to Sydney and overseas customers.  

Brenda evokes the stories of her grandfather, “He started to propagate Burrawong Palms on the property which he cultivated, processed and exported to Germany.” The local history books also record how Mr Adams paid 4 shillings per thousand for the Burrawong fronds and the maiden hair, which were ironed with hot irons and laid on trestles to dry out before being packed into boxes. “He employed many staff and to conduct his business he would row his boat to Davistown Post Office.” Brenda also recalls how her grandfather was instrumental in helping to establish the Post Office at Empire Bay.

The Adams had the only phone in the area so when there was a fire in the district Brenda’s grandmother would receive the call and Brenda’s cousin would hop on his bike and ride down to the Empire Bay and ring the fire bell to alert everyone.

Brenda’s father, Ernie Adams, was born at Gosford and lived all his life at Empire Bay. He was a dredge operator at Ettalong. “Like my grandfather, Dad would row his boat to work across to Ettalong. Firstly, he would walk over the hill to Killcare Extension, to Jack Riley’s house in Mosquito Bay. Returning the same way at the end of the day.” Ernie also worked his three oyster leases at Bensville, Killcare Extension and Rileys Island.  

Ernie Adams preparing timber from his property at Empire Bay.

Brenda continues, “In 1953, Dad built his home with the help of Harry Beattie and Ray Thomas, whose families were also early settlers of the area. They cut the timber from his land and used draught horses to drag the logs home. He was often called upon to cut and snig timber for the locals.” Since she was 3 months old, Brenda has lived on the same land as her father, but the original old house was demolished and has now been replaced with a new modern home. 

The Adams name is proudly inscribed on the Empire Bay War Memorial. “Five members of my family including Dad, and Uncle George, who was a POW at Changi, are listed on the Empire Bay War Memorial,” Brenda sadly remembers.

“My grandchildren attend Empire Bay Primary School, representing the 4th generation of the Adams family attending the school”, Brenda smiles.

Today’s residents of Empire Bay are incredibly grateful to the forefathers and early settlers who worked hard, shouldered many burdens, survived in isolation and built the community that we all share and enjoy today. Brenda’s grandparents, parents, uncles, and aunties are these such folk. Hopefully, their continued descendants will continue to build on our rich heritage, generation after generation.

Brenda Simpson (nee Adams), the 4th generation from the Adams family living in Empire Bay.

By Robert Thompson

 Sources:
1.       “The Brisbane Water Story – Part 3” by C. Swancott.
2.       Interview with Brenda Simpson.
3.       Gosford Times via Trove.